Inca Trail Routes

Regulations introduced by the Peruvian Government to control the use of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu established a few places where travelers can enter to the Inca Trail. These places are known as kilometer 82 (or Piscacucho), kilometer 88 (or Qóriwayrachina), and kilometer 104 (or Chachabamba).  At each of these places there is a check-in cabin where the staff of the National Institute of Culture checks Inca Trail permits, original passports, and ISIC Student ID Cards in case the permit was purchased as a student.

The itineraries shown below are common itineraries sold by Inca Trail tour operators.

CLASSIC 4 DAY INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU:

DAY 1: PISCACUCHO  – HUAYLLABAMBA (About 12 km/7.5 mi)

Most of the Inca Trail Tour Operators pick up trekkers from their hotels in Cusco in order to take them to Ollantaytambo Town for a quick rest before driving them to Piscacucho. The trek starts at Piscacucho, also called Kilometer 82. There is a control cabin there where the agents of the National Institute of Culture check Inca Trail permits, passports, and ISIC Student ID Cards if the traveler is a student. At this checking point, guides and porters are also asked for their Inca Trail permits and their aid first kits are checked and rucksacks are weighed.

The hike starts going up in short hills and walking on flat land for about two hours until arriving at Meskay. On the way it is possible to observe the ruins of Q’anabamba from afar.  Meskay is usually used as a resting point where lunch is prepared and basic bathroom facilities can be found. After another two and a half hours of hiking in the Peruvian flats (up and down), you will arrive at your first campsite, called Huayllabamba. On the way to Huayllabamba you will be able to observe the ruins of Willkarakay from afar and visit the ruins of Patallacta.

Huayllabamba is a small Andean village where locals provide a space to tour operators to camp. Usually, located next to the houses of the locals, it is possible to get running water (not potable), basic bathrooms (small bathrooms with a hole in the ground.), and some roosters willing to wake you up the next day to start your journey.

• Cusco is located about 11,120 feet above sea level / 3,390 m.a.s.l.
• Piscacucho is located about 9,000 feet above sea level / 2,750 m.a.s.l.
• Huayllabamba is located about 9,840 feet above sea level / 3,000 m.a.s.l.

DAY 2: HUAYLLABAMBA – WARMIWAÑUSCA – PACAYMAYU (About 12 km/7.5 mi)

This is the most difficult day of the Classic 4 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with mostly uphill hiking. Right after leaving Huayllabamba, your Inca Trail permit and passport will be checked again.

The first hour and a half of this hike will take you to the first resting point, called Yuncachimpa – Ayabacha.  After another hour of hiking, you will arrive at the second resting point, called Lulluchapampa.  Sport drinks, candies, and other groceries are sold here. Basic restrooms with running water (not potable) are also available at both resting points.

The “Dead Woman Pass” or “Abra Warmiwañusca” can be reached in about 2 more hours of hiking. This portion of the trek will be the hardest one and it is common to feel some light symptoms of altitude sickness such as a headache or difficult breathing (please review our Inca Trail Altitude Sickness site for further details). These symptoms should go away once you reach the top and start going down. At the top, you will be rewarded by the beautiful landscape.

A descent on the original Inca Trail stairs will take you to Pacaymayu. This hike will take about two hours. At this campiste, it is possible to find basic restrooms with running water (not potable).

• Huayllabamba is located about 9,840 feet above sea level / 3,000 m.a.s.l.
• Yuncachimpa – Ayabacha is located about 10,820 feet above sea level / 3,300 m.a.s.l.
• Lulluchapampa is located about 11,810 feet above sea level / 3,600 m.a.s.l.
• Warmiwañusca is located about 13,825 feet above sea level / 4,215 m.a.s.l.
• Pacaymayu is located about 11,800 feet above sea level / 3,596 m.a.s.l.

DAY 3: PACAYMAYU – WIÑAYWAYNA (About 16 km/10 mi)

This is the most beautiful day of the Classic 4 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.  After leaving Pacaymayu, the second pass can be reached in about one hour of hiking.  This pass is known as “Abra Runkuraqay.”  The ruins of Runkuraqay or “Egg Hut,” can be visited on the way to the pass.

Once “Abra Runkuraqay” is reached, nature will start changing dramatically (mostly arid mountains become green and colorful mountains).  The ruins of Sayacmarca or “Inaccessible Town” will be the next Inca complex to be visited.  After visiting Sayacmarca, the Inca Trail will take you through the cloud forest where the resting point of Chaquiqocha will provide basic bathrooms and running water (not potable).  Tour operators usually serve lunch here.  On the way to Chaquiqocha, the trail passes next to the ruins of Q’onchamarca.  This hike may take about 3 hours.

Once Chaquiqocha is left behind, the Inca Trail gets narrow and takes you next to deep cliffs with amazing views.  After passing an Inca Tunnel and before reaching the campsite of Phuyupatamarca, the Urubamba and Aobamba river valleys can be observed as well as the Salcantay, Palcay, Pusamasillo, and Veronica snowy mountains.  This hike can be covered in about 2 hours.

The ruins of Phuyupatamarca or “cloud level town” will come next.  Usually, surrounded by clouds, Phuyupatamarca will be the most impressive Inca ruin you have seen on the way.  After Phuyupatamarca, a stony road will take you to your next campsite in about 2 hours, called Wiñaywayna.  On the way you will have the option of visiting Intipata (well preserved Inca terraces).  Most guides do not go there so you will be visiting this complex on your own (on the way you might observe the Machu Picchu orchid).

The campsite of Wiñaywayna has a small restaurant and bathrooms with hot showers where it is possible to rent clean towels (do not expect too much from these showers).  Also, this is a small campsite and when all spaces have been assigned, the National Institute of Culture assigns the Phuyupatamarca campsite instead.  If you arrive early to the campsite, you should visit the ruins of Wiñaywayna.

• Pacaymayu is located about 11,800 feet above sea level / 3,596 m.a.s.l.
• Abra Runkuraqay is located about 12,400 feet above sea level / 3,780 m.a.s.l.
• Sayacmarca is located about 11,472 feet above sea level / 3,500 m.a.s.l.
• Phuyupatamarca is located about 11,820 feet above sea level / 3,600 m.a.s.l.
• Wiñaywayna is located about 8,692 feet above sea level / 2,650 m.a.s.l.

DAY 4: WIÑAYWAYNA – MACHU PICCHU (About 6 km/3.75 mi)

After leaving the campsite, there will be a control gate that opens at 05:30 hours.  At this checking point Inca Trail permits and passports will be checked once again.  A hike of an hour and a half will end at the Gate of the Sun, also called Intipunku.  From here Machu Picchu can be observed only if it is not cloudy.

Another hour of hiking will take you to the control gate of Machu Picchu.  At the control gate, your passport and entrance ticket to Machu Picchu will need to be shown.  Most companies offer a 2 hour guided tour and a bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes and from there, the backpacker train to Ollantaytambo (the cheapest option available, which usually leaves Aguas Calientes after 19:00 hours).  From Ollantaytambo, transporation to Cusco City is usually offered. 

• Wiñaywayna is located about 8,692 feet above sea level / 2,650 m.a.s.l.
• Intipunku is located about 8,920 feet above sea level / 2,720 m.a.s.l.
• Machu Picchu is located about 7,875 feet above sea level / 2,400 m.a.s.l.

Note: When the Inca Trail starts at the km. 88 (or Qóriwayrachina), it is necessary to take the train which will stop at the checking point where the National Institute of Culture checks Inca Trail permits and other documents. This route takes you to the complex of Patallacta and then to Wayllabamba. The hiking distance is similar to starting at Km. 82.

SHORT INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU:

DAY 1: KM. 104 – WIÑAYWAYNA – MACHU PICCHU (About 12 km/7.5 mi)

Most of the Inca Trail tour operators pick up trekkers from their hotels in Cusco in order to take them to the train station of Poroy, Cusco.  From Poroy, trekkers usually take the backpacker train to Km. 104 (or Km. 106 if the checking point at Km. 106 is not open). After leaving the train, there is a control cabin where the agents of the National Institute of Culture check Inca Trail permits, passports, and ISIC Student ID Cards if the trekker is a student.  At this checking point guides are also asked for their Inca Trail permits and their first aid kits are checked.  Most companies provide a sack lunch at the checking point.

Once the control gate is left behind and after a few minutes of hiking, the ruins of Chachabamba can be visited. This archaeological site used to provide several Andean products, such as corn and potatoes, to Machu Picchu.  The hike starts to incline for about three and a half hours until arriving at Wiñaywayna.  This beautiful Inca complex will appear in front of you unexpectedly.  The ruins of Intipata can be observed from far during the hike.

The ruins of Wiñaywayna are located about a 10 minute hike from the lodge. The lodge offers bathrooms with running water (not potable) as well as groceries for sale.  Before leaving Wiñaywayna, the agents of the National Institute of Culture will check your passport and Inca Trail permit once again.

A hike of about one hour and thirty minutes will be needed to arrive at the Gate of the Sun, or “Intipunku.”  From here, you will have an amazing view of Machu Picchu.  Another hour hike will take you to the control gate of Machu Picchu (usually, the guided tour of Machu Picchu is left for the next day).  Once in Machu Picchu, stony Inca stairs will take you to Aguas Calientes in about an hour and a half (6 Km. / 3.75 mi.).  In Aguas Calientes, most companies offer basic accommodation with shared rooms and bathrooms with no dinner included.  Also, a few companies offer a bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.

• Cusco is located about 11,120 feet above sea level / 3,390 m.a.s.l.
• Km. 104 and Chachabamba are located about 7,380 feet above sea level / 2,250 m.a.s.l.
• Wiñaywayna is located about 8,692 feet above sea level / 2,650 m.a.s.l.
• Intipunku is located about 8,920 feet above sea level / 2,720 m.a.s.l.
• Machu Picchu is located about 7,875 feet above sea level / 2,400 m.a.s.l.
• Aguas Calientes is located about 6.695 feet above sea level / 2,040 m.a.sl.

DAY 2: AGUAS CALIENTES  – MACHU PICCHU (About 6 km/3.75 mi)

After leaving Aguas Calientes early in the morning, the hike will take you to Machu Picchu in about 2 hours. (If you would like to hike Huayna Picchu Mountain you should leave no later than 04:30 hours to get register on the roster – Only 400 people can register per day.)  Some companies offer bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and vice versa.

At the control gate, your passport and entrance ticket to Machu Picchu will need to be shown.  Most companies offer a 2 hour guided tour.  After the tour, you will have time to walk around on your own.  From Aguas Calientes, the backpacker train to Ollantaytambo is provided (the cheapest option available which usually leaves Aguas Calientes after 19:00 hours).  From Ollantaytambo, transpotation to Cusco City is usually offered. 

• Aguas Calientes is located about 6,695 feet above sea level / 2,040 m.a.sl.
• Machu Picchu is located about 7,875 feet above sea level / 2,400 m.a.s.l.
• Huayna Picchu is located about 8,920 feet above sea level / 2,720 m.a.s.l.

7 DAY SALKANTAY & INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU:

DAY 1: MOLLEPATA – CRUZ PATA

Most of the Inca Trail tour operators pick up trekkers from their hotels in Cusco in order to take them to Mollepata where the trek begins.  This ride takes about 4 hours.  There are no checking points to be worried about until day 4.  Mollepata is a small Andean village.

From Mollepata, the trail continues to Cruzpata where there is an area to camp.  Cruzpata is also known as Marcocasa.  Restrooms are not available.  Water can be found at natural streams (always use purification pills or filters when drinking water from these sources).   This hike takes about 4 hours.  This first day involves an easy hike.

• Cusco is located about 11,120 feet above sea level / 3,390 m.a.s.l.
• Mollepata is located about 9,190 feet above sea level / 2,800 m.a.s.l.
• Cruzpata is located about 11,485 feet above sea level / 3,500 m.a.s.l.

DAY 2: CRUZ PATA – SALKANTAYPAMPA

After leaving Cruzpata, the trail continues to Soraypampa where it is windy and cold.  While the hike continues to Salkantaypampa, the Salkantay Mountain becomes more and more dramatic.   The hike today can take about 6 hours and it will be mostly cold and windy.  The Salkantay Mountain was a Sacred Mountain for the Incas and locals still believe it is sacred.

• Cruzpata is located about 11,485 feet above sea level / 3,500 m.a.s.l.
• Soraypampa is located about 12,630 feet above sea level / 3,850 m.a.s.l.
• Salkantaypampa is located about 13,125 feet above sea level / 4,000 m.a.s.l.

DAY 3: SALKANTAYPAMPA – PAMPA CAHUANA

This is the hardest day of the hike taking you to the highest pass of the entire trail known as Inca Chiriaska.  This ascent is difficult and it can take up to 4 hours.  Glaciers can be seen along the path and the area is known as “the place where the Inca cools down” because it is very cold.

After reaching the pass, the trail descends until the small village of Pampa Cahuana where there is space to camp.  Below the campsite there is an original Inca channel.  Water can be obtained from the stream.  This hike can take about 4 hours.

• Salkantaypampa is located about 13,125 feet above sea level / 4,000 m.a.s.l.
• Inca Chiriaska is located about 16,075 feet above sea level / 4,900 m.a.s.l.
• Pampa Cahuana is located about 13,125 feet above sea level / 4,000 m.a.s.l.

DAY 4: PAMPA CAHUANA – HUAYLLABAMBA

Your Inca Trail permit and passport will be needed today since you will be entering to the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Park.  The hike begins going down through an Andean Valley.  Nature changes from dry landscapes to more colorful and warmer areas.  The ruins of Paucarcancha will come next.  This portion of the hike can take about 4 hours.

After crossing the Urubamba River, the trail goes uphill to Huayllabamba.  Horses usually stop at this point and return to Mollepata since horses are not allowed to walk on the Inca Trail.  Porters will take the post.  

• Pampa Cahuana is located about 13,125 feet above sea level / 4,000 m.a.s.l.
• Paucarcancha is located about 10,500 feet above sea level / 3,200 m.a.s.l.
• Huayllabamba is located about 9,840 feet above sea level / 3,000 m.a.s.l.

Note: Days 5, 6, and 7 of this route are similar to days 2, 3, and 4 of the Classic 4 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.